What is the Nord Stream 1 gas link (UPSC Current Affairs)

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Why in the news?

Recently, the Nord Stream 1, was shut down for scheduled maintenance work. European nations are becoming increasingly concerned that Russia will prolong the temporary suspension of gas shipments as punishment for the present sanctions imposed against Moscow.

What is the Nord Stream 1 pipeline?

• Nord Stream 1 is one of two natural gas pipelines which is known as Nord Stream , each with two lines.
• Nord Stream 1 is a network of offshore natural gas pipelines that connects Germany and Russia beneath the Baltic Sea.
• The 1,224-kilometer Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, opened in 2011, travels under the Baltic Sea from Lubmin in northeastern Germany to Vyborg in northwest Russia.
• Nord Stream 2 refers to another pipeline that was completed in September 2021, built from Ust-Luga to Lubmin and hasa capacity of 55 billion cubic metres of gas per year once it becomesoperational..
• These pipelines are the main entry point for Russian energy giant Gazprom's gas into Germany, and it is majority owned by that company.
• The twin pipelines can provide 110 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to Europe over a period of at least 50 years.
• The Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of numerous nations, including Germany, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Russia, as well as the territorial seas of Germany, Denmark, and Russia, are traversed by the Nord Stream pipeline.
• The pipeline joins the NEL (North European Pipeline) and OPAL (Baltic Sea Pipeline) in Germany, and it also joins the European grid.

What is the significance of Nord Stream 1 for Europe and Russia?

Europe

• Russia supplies more than 40% of the more than 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas through Nord Stream pipelines that Europe needs annually.
• Europe has recently depended more on gas imports due to a decline in local gas output.
• Because there are no simple alternatives, it is challenging for European countries to decrease their dependency on Russian gas.
• European Nations are under pressure as a result of the significant investments made in Nord Stream 2 by numerous European enterprises.
• Last but not least, a decrease in Russian gas would result in an increase in already high domestic gas costs, which would be unpopular for many European nations.

Russia

• Gas and oil sales in Russia, which has the greatest natural gas reserves in the world, make up over 40% of Russia's annual revenue.
• Because pipelines eliminate the dangers involved in shipping gas through transit nations, eliminate transit fees, and grant direct access to Germany, its most important European consumer, Nord Stream pipelines, is vital.
• It increases Europe's reliance on Russia while giving it a dependable client.

What are the concerns of Europe regarding the Nord Stream pipelines?

• Concerns about possible future constraints on European gas supplies have grown.
• In order to survive the chilly winters, European nations rely on Russian energy. However, they now think that Russia might use their dependence into a weapon in retaliation to their sanctions as a result of the crisis in Ukraine.
• Germany alleges that Nord Stream 2 violates German law and has suspended approval, therefore it has yet to start up. The proposal also needs approval from the European Commission.
• The strategic concern is that it will strengthen Europe's dependence on Russia, increasing Russia's influence in Europe. This objection comes especially from the EU.
• There are worries that Russia will employ it as a geopolitical weapon as well.
• Ukraine has opposed it, stating that it will lose out on about USD 2 billion in transit fees once the pipeline is operational.
• Environmentalists claim that Nord Stream pipeline runs counter to German attempts to lessen its reliance on fossil fuels and tackle climate change.

How is Europe handling the dependence on Russia?

• The biggest economy in Europe, Germany, continues to be largely dependent on Russian gas despite efforts to minimise that dependence.
• The Nord Stream 2 project, whose completion in September 2021 would have increased the amount of direct Russian gas flowing to Germany, was put on hold in response to the invasion of Ukraine in February.
• Nevertheless, despite Moscow decreasing its gas delivery by 60% in mid-June, Nord Stream 1 was still in operation.
• Russia reportedly attributed the decrease in supplies to the delayed return of a turbine that was being fixed by German company Siemens Energy in Canada.

What are the alternative sources of energy that Europe is looking for?

• European nations are increasingly looking to the US, from whom they buy liquified natural gas (LNG), which is transported by ships, as a substitute for their current energy sources.
• There are also efforts to obtain non-Russian pipeline gas from Norway and Azerbaijan since ship-delivered gas ends up being significantly more expensive.
• While several EU nations were turning back to coal to address the energy problem, they had earlier sought to phase out fossil fuels and prioritise renewable energy sources.

Some Important FAQs

MCQs

Question: Consider the following statements:

1. Exclusive Economic Zone is an area adjacent to its territorial sea that extends seaward up to 200 nm from its baselines.
2. The contiguous zone extends seaward up to 24 nm from its baselines

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question: Consider the following statements:

1. Nord Stream 1 was completed in 2013 and runs from Turkey to Germany.
2. Nord Stream 2 runs from Ust-Luga in Leningrad to Lubmin.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2